Moisture associated with the far outer circulation of the remnants of Hurricane Ida resulted in development of numerous rain showers and thunderstorms across upstate South Carolina during the afternoon. One small line of heavy showers and thunderstorms produced pockets of damaging winds as it moved north-northeast across the area.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.
Moisture associated with the far outer circulation of the remnants of Hurricane Ida resulted in development of numerous rain showers and thunderstorms across upstate South Carolina during the afternoon. One small line of heavy showers and thunderstorms produced pockets of damaging winds as it moved north-northeast across the area.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 31, 1:33 PM EST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
233 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
Tropical cyclone Ida will continue to weaken while moving
northeast across the Central Appalachians on Wednesday, bringing
periods of heavy rain and gusty wind. Continental high pressure is
expected to settle into the region later in the week with fair skies
and seasonable temperatures.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Tuesday: The overall forecast is still on track
at this time. A Wind advisory has been expanded into the northern
mountains in this latest update. 850mb winds in bufkit soundings
from CAMs for KTNB and KAVL continue to produce wind speeds between
35-45 kts from the S-SE later today. With relatively high soil
moisture content and the expected heavy rainfall, trees will become
more vulnerable to being uprooted this afternoon and through the
overnight period.
The latest satellite imagery indicates the center of T.D. Ida
centered over northern Alabama/south-central Tennessee at this time
and taking on an increasingly extra-tropical appearance, as the bulk
of the precip shield remains aligned along the low level confluence
axis east-through-north of the vortex (i.e., across the TN Valley),
with a couple of precip bands beginning to enter the CFWA. As the
precip band enters the area, the atmosphere is destabilizing as
well. The aforementioned precip bands should intensify somewhat
as the low level wind flow accelerates and turns toward the S/SE,
with resultant increasing upslope flow filling in/enhancing precip
coverage across the mountains and foothills throughout the afternoon
into the evening. Categorical PoPs appear warranted in these areas,
tapering down to low chance east of I-77.
The Weather Prediction Center has extended the moderate risk for
excessive rainfall futher into the Upstate and northeast GA. 3-5+"
of rain expected for the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment where
the upslope enhancement will be greatest. 1-3+" of rain expected
elsewhere across the mountains and foothills, where the main precip
shield will be located. CAMs continue to produce periods of heavy
rain this evening through tonight and even into the morning hours
on Wednesday as the center of Ida pushes to the E/NE, just west of
the Appalachians. Up to one inch is expected in the Piedmont with
locally higher amounts in locations that receive a heavy-slow moving
thunderstorm or multiple cells during the forecast period. The
Flash Flood Watch seems to be well in place and no changes have
been made to it.
On the other side of things, severe weather will be possible across
the CFWA and the marginal risk for damaging winds and an isolated
tornado seems to be well in place for this afternoon and evening
via the Storm Prediction Center. Low level shear parameters and 0-1
km SRH values are gaining momentum as we enter the peak heating of
the day and Ida continues to encroach the CFWA to the west. The
time that the best shear/buoyancy overlap should begin over the
next couple of hours. As such, the setup does not appear to be
as favorable for tropical tornadoes as it was during T.S. Fred
on 8/17. The tornado threat should otherwise steadily diminish
later into the evening and overnight. Gradient Winds will also
be a concern, mainly along the high ridge tops of western NC and
higher peaks of northeast GA this afternoon through the early
part of the overnight. While Advisory-level gusts will be likely,
these should mainly be confined to locations above 5000'.
On Wednesday, expect numerous to categorical PoPs once again,
especially in the eastern zones as the main rainband from Ida
skirts into the I-77 corridor and CLT Metro area at peak heating
of the day and is able to regenerate. With good low level shear
parameters, good curvature in the 0-1 km hodographs, and just enough
instability, an isolated tornado will be possible once again in
the eastern zones. Otherwise, scattered diurnal activity will be
in store elsewhere with temperatures slightly below normal due
to the extensive cloud cover leftover from Ida and the lingering
morning low stratus that has been placed into the forecast. Drier
air will begin to filter in by the very end of the period as the
flow begins to come out of the northwest and the Remnants of Ida
continues to lift off to the NE.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 230 pm EDT Tuesday: The remnant circulation of Ida will move
away to the northeast Wednesday night, but with a lingering trough
over the forecast area for some evening I-40 and Piedmont showers,
and weak upslope into the TN spine counties into the early
overnight. Then, expect northwesterly downsloping to provide steady
and deeper-layer drying through Thursday as the trough moves east of
the region. High pressure will begin building east from the southern
Plains to the southern Appalachians.
Strong high pressure will build over the southern CONUS through
Friday, while surface high pressure builds east from New England to
the Great Lakes and ridges southward through the Carolinas. Dry
weather should result and maximum temperatures should be 1 to 2
categories below climo.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 230 pm EDT Tuesday: The ridge will retrograde slightly on
Saturday, but then break down in earnest across the southeast Sunday
into Monday as heights fall across the Great Lakes. This will permit
a cold front, with a narrow attendant moisture zone, to move
southeast through the region Sunday/Sunday night. Will keep dry
weather in place Saturday, with a modest 1 to 2 degree recovery in
temperatures. Then, will feature a chance showers in mountains to
a slight chance in the Piedmont with the fropa.
Model differences exist early next week, but with some semblance of
a broad eastern trough most likely Monday into Tuesday, with the
surface boundary settling just southeast of the region. Cannot rule
out some unsettled weather with the troughiness, but moisture in the
profiles looks quite limited so will feature mainly diurnal,
isolated to scattered showers and a few thunderstorms Mon/Tue
afternoons. Temperatures will rebound closer to normal.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Prevailing VFR conditions and gusty winds
will continue over the next few hours before conditions begin to
deteriorate. As the main precip shield and outer rainbands from Ida
work into the terminals, showers and thunderstorms will begin to
unfold and lingering precip is expected through much of the period.
With the gusty winds, vsbys should remain near MVFR, but low stratus
will deepen very well overnight and Wednesday morning. Most TAF
sites should be IFR or lower on cigs during that time frame. The one
forecast challenge is how long will the stratus take to dissipate.
Model guidance is holding steady with it through at least lunchtime
Wednesday. Winds will generally come out of the S/SE today and
slowly turn to the SW by tomorrow as the center of Ida continues to
track to the E/NE. KAVL will likely flip to the NW by the end of the
period. Scattered precip will be in store once again Wednesday and
has been included in the 18Z TAF update either as prevailing or in a
PROB30.
Outlook: Periods of rain/restrictions and some gusty winds can be
expected tonight and Wednesday, mainly during the morning as the
remnants of Ida move by to our north. Dry conditions return for the
latter part of the week and continue into the weekend.
Confidence Table...
18-24Z 00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 93% High 87%
KGSP High 100% High 82% High 91% High 86%
KAVL High 84% High 95% Med 78% High 95%
KHKY High 99% High 81% High 81% High 88%
KGMU High 95% High 82% High 94% High 87%
KAND High 87% Med 75% High 87% Med 69%
The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables are available at
the following link:
www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for GAZ010-017-
018.
NC...Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for NCZ033-
048>053-058-059-062>065-501>510.
Wind Advisory above 3500 feet until 8 AM EDT Wednesday for
NCZ048-051-052-058-059.
Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Wednesday for NCZ033-049-050.
SC...Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for SCZ001>005.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...CAC/JDL
SHORT TERM...HG
LONG TERM...HG
AVIATION...CACHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 200 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021 NCZ048-051-052-058-059-011800- Madison-Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson- 200 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY ABOVE 3500 FEET... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the southwest mountains of western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Wind Advisory. The remnants of tropical cyclone Ida will continue to push into the region through tonight. Isolated severe thunderstorms with a brief tornado or two are possible, mainly late this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. GAZ010-017-018-NCZ053-062>065-501>510-SCZ001>005-011800- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Buncombe-Macon-Southern Jackson- Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell- Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk- Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains- Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- 200 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the mountains of northeast Georgia, the mountains and foothills of western North Carolina, and the Upstate South Carolina mountains. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. The remnants of tropical cyclone Ida will continue to push into the region through tonight. In addition to the flood threat, gusty south winds at higher elevations this afternoon into tonight could down isolated to scattered trees or power lines. Isolated severe thunderstorms with a weak and brief tornado or two are also possible, mainly late this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. NCZ033-049-050-011800- Avery-Yancey-Mitchell- 200 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the northern mountains of western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Wind Advisory. The remnants of tropical cyclone Ida will continue to push into the region through tonight. In addition to the flood and wind threats, isolated severe thunderstorms with a weak and brief tornado or two are also possible, mainly this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. GAZ026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-SCZ006>014-019-011800- Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland- Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Greater Greenville- Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC- Chester-Greenwood- 200 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina,and Upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The remnants of tropical cyclone Ida will continue to push into the region through tonight. Periods of heavy rain with isolated flooding and breezy southerly winds will develop this afternoon and continue into tonight. Isolated severe thunderstorms, with a weak and brief tornado or two, will be possible, mainly late this afternoon and this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. The remnants of Ida will depart to the east with periods of heavy rain and associated isolated flood threat gradually coming to an end. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. HG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
124 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-311800-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Franklin GA-Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-
124 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Franklin, Stephens,
western Elbert, Habersham, southwestern Rabun and Hart Counties
through 200 PM EDT...
At 124 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 5 miles east of Cleveland to 7 miles east of
Homer to 7 miles west of Elberton. Movement was north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Toccoa, Hartwell, Clarkesville, Carnesville, Elberton, Cornelia,
Baldwin, Royston, Lavonia and Gumlog.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3417 8310 3423 8308 3427 8312 3424 8317
3425 8332 3433 8339 3443 8338 3446 8340
3449 8354 3445 8359 3451 8366 3454 8362
3465 8366 3476 8363 3480 8368 3491 8363
3468 8334 3434 8279 3427 8275 3401 8294
TIME...MOT...LOC 1724Z 199DEG 18KT 3461 8367 3437 8338 3413 8299
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
201 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-NCZ051-058-059-062>064-SCZ001-002-004-005-010-
311830-
Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Rabun GA-Habersham GA-
Transylvania NC-Graham NC-Swain NC-Northern Jackson NC-
Southern Jackson NC-Macon NC-Greater Pickens SC-Greater Oconee SC-
Pickens Mountains SC-Anderson SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
201 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Hart, northern
Franklin, Stephens, Habersham, Rabun, southwestern Transylvania,
southern Jackson, Macon, southwestern Swain, central Graham, Pickens,
Oconee and northwestern Anderson Counties through 230 PM EDT...
At 201 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles southeast of Andrews to 4 miles west of
Walhalla to 8 miles west of Anderson. Movement was north at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Clemson, Toccoa, Seneca, Hartwell, Franklin, Walhalla, Pickens,
Clayton, Clarkesville and Bryson City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3553 8382 3556 8377 3557 8359 3525 8308
3487 8261 3422 8296 3456 8354 3458 8364
3466 8366 3474 8362 3480 8368 3488 8366
3495 8355 3499 8355 3500 8348 3500 8352
3515 8365 3515 8374 3526 8371 3524 8390
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 185DEG 42KT 3513 8370 3477 8314 3449 8280
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
227 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
GAZ010-018-026-028-029-NCZ051-058-059-062>064-SCZ001-002-004-005-010-
311900-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Rabun GA-Transylvania NC-
Graham NC-Swain NC-Northern Jackson NC-Southern Jackson NC-Macon NC-
Greater Pickens SC-Greater Oconee SC-Pickens Mountains SC-
Anderson SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
227 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
...THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT HART...NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN...EASTERN
STEPHENS...NORTHWESTERN ELBERT...RABUN...SOUTHWESTERN TRANSYLVANIA...
JACKSON...MACON...SOUTHWESTERN SWAIN...EASTERN GRAHAM...WESTERN
PICKENS...OCONEE AND WESTERN ANDERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT...
At 227 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms along a line
extending from 5 miles southeast of Andrews to 17 miles southeast of
Franklin to 6 miles east of Walhalla to 8 miles northeast of
Elberton, and moving north at 30 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Anderson, Clemson, Seneca, Elberton, Hartwell, Franklin, Walhalla,
Sylva, Clayton and Bryson City.
Very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in
these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.
&&
LAT...LON 3480 8339 3494 8359 3495 8355 3499 8355
3500 8348 3500 8352 3513 8362 3514 8365
3515 8365 3515 8374 3519 8371 3520 8373
3523 8369 3526 8371 3525 8382 3553 8377
3536 8300 3513 8282 3437 8257 3405 8290
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 198DEG 25KT 3517 8374 3503 8314 3480 8296 3418
8275
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
249 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
GAZ029-SCZ010-011-019-311930-
Elbert GA-Anderson SC-Abbeville SC-Greenwood SC-
249 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Elbert,
southeastern Anderson, Abbeville and Greenwood Counties through 330
PM EDT...
At 248 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles southeast of Elberton to 15 miles north
of Evans. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Greenwood, Abbeville, Elberton, Honea Path, Ware Shoals, Calhoun
Falls, Ninety Six, Due West, Iva and Lake Secession.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8205 3397 8218 3402 8224 3397 8231
3406 8233 3406 8244 3408 8248 3401 8260
3396 8257 3399 8265 3397 8278 3398 8286
3405 8290 3443 8261 3449 8233 3433 8217
3421 8195 3413 8187 3397 8201 3395 8204
TIME...MOT...LOC 1848Z 210DEG 40KT 3399 8280 3374 8217
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MOOREThe Greer radar (KGSP), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:24 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported trees blown down along Highway 702.
County comms reported damage to the roof of a home on Amber Hill Circle.
County comms reported trees blown down at Sunset Park Ext and Anderson Drive, at Jonella St and E Farley Ave in Laurens, and at Spruce St and Cedar St in Clinton.
Amateur radio reported power lines blown down off I-85 near mile marker 66. County comms reported trees down on Whitney Ave and on Georgia St at Hudson St.
County comms reported trees blown down on Love Springs Rd and Macedonia Rd in the western part of the county, on Granard St in Gaffney, and on N Mountain St in Blacksburg.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, August 2021
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 982333, 982334, 982327, 982336, 982339.